RIYADH/KAISERSLAUTERN, 23 June 2006 — Saudi Arabia football chiefs insist that coach Marcos Paqueta’s job is safe despite the team facing almost certain elimination from the World Cup.
The Saudis have just one point from two games in Group H. They need to beat mighty Spain in Kaiserslautern today and hope Tunisia defeat Ukraine.
But even in that unlikely scenario, the Gulf side will still have to overtake Tunisia on goal difference.
“There is no way we will cancel the contract of Paqueta,” said Prince Nawaf ibn Faisal, the vice-president of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation.
“We have strong belief in him and he has an excellent CV.”
Brazilian Paqueta, who led Brazil to victory in the Under-17 and Under-20 World Cups, is the 16th coach to be hired by the Saudis in the last 12 years.
He took over when Argentinian Gabriel Calderon was sacked after successfully piloting the Saudis to their fourth consecutive World Cup.
“Just because the players don’t do as the coach says doesn’t mean we have to get rid of him,” added Prince Nawaf.
“We were disappointed by the 4-0 defeat to Ukraine but the reaction has been too extreme.”
Paqueta signed a two-year contract just before the World Cup finals and is expected to be in charge for the Gulf Cup in the United Arab Emirates in January as well as for the 2007 Asian Cup.
While Saudi Arabia are fighting to stay alive in the competition, Spain hope to continue their impressive start to the World Cup with a third consecutive win.
The Spaniards, already through to the second round, will rely on their substitutes in their last Group H match today, but that does not necessarily make things easier for the Saudis.
Spain’s bench is full of accomplished players like veteran striker Raul Gonzalez and Arsenal midfielder Jose Antonio Reyes, who are eager to show coach Luis Aragones, also known as “the mister,” that they deserve a spot in the starting lineup in the round of 16. “I’m in good form and am working hard to show the mister that I can play more matches,” Reyes said Thursday as the team arrived in Mannheim, where it will be based ahead of the game in Kaiserslautern.
After beating Ukraine and Tunisia, the worst Spain can do is finish second in the group — and that only if it completely breaks down against the Saudis while Ukraine score a big win against Tunisia.
Saudi Arabia have the slimmest hopes of advancing, but will look to save face after losing 4-0 to Ukraine in its previous match.
The Saudis, who drew 2-2 with Tunisia in the first game, are in last place in Group H, but would move up to second if they beat Spain by three goals and Tunisia defeat Ukraine 1-0. “We have small chance but we’ll fight for it till the end,” Saudi national team coach Marcos Paqueta said yesterday, adding that Spain playing without several regular starters will not make things any easier.
“It will be difficult for us. Not easier because substitutes always try to prove themselves as main players. So this will complicate issues for us,” Paqueta said.
If Aragones sticks to his 4-3-3 formation, he would likely field Valencia’s David Villa up top next to Reyes and Joaquin Sanchez.
Nineteen-year-old Cesc Fabregas, David Albelda and Andres Iniesta would form the midfield in front of central defenders Carlos Marchena and Juanito Gutierrez with Michel Salgado and Antonio Lopez on the flanks.
The biggest question is whether Santiago Canizares or Pepe Reina will replace first-choice goalkeeper Iker Casillas.
Aragones hinted yesterday he would opt for the former, who lost his spot as Spain’s goalkeeper in the 2002 World Cup in a freak accident when he dropped a bottle of aftershave on his foot. “Canizares is in great shape, but it is difficult to choose,” said Aragones, who is undefeated in 24 matches as Spain coach.
Paqueta has been secretive about his lineup. One question mark is play maker Nawaf Al-Temyat, who was instrumental in securing the draw with Tunisia, but did not play against Ukraine.
Saudi Arabia will have to do without striker Yasser Al-Qahtani, who is out with thigh strain. Al-Qahtani, who has scored 33 goals in 46 matches, will likely be replaced by Saad Al-Harthi. Aragones said he would rest Fernando Torres, even though that would prevent the Atletico Madrid striker from adding to his three goals to become the tournament’s leading scorer. Torres did not seem to mind, knowing he has the coach’s confidence for the second round.
“The most important thing is the team, and if some of the Spanish players want to be up there among the top scorers, the most important thing is to get to the final stages, to the semifinals and the final,” Torres said.
